Sigmar Polke at Editions Schellmann – artmarketblog.com

German artist Sigmar Polke is undoubtedly one of the most important and influential artists of the post-war generation. Polke is often grouped with other important German artists such as Keifer, Penck, Richter and Immendorf all of whom were part of the Neo-Expressionist movement. The Neo-Expressionist movement developed in the late 70′s as a reaction to the minimalist and conceptual art that had been a dominant force in the art world during the 70′s. The Guggenheim website defines Neo-Expressionism as: “Rejecting the restrictions against imagery and gestural treatment set by their Minimalist and Conceptual teachers and contemporaries, the Neo-Expressionists revived the formal elements of German Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism”

The market for Polke’s work has risen significantly since 2004 and, according to artprice.com, continues to rise. The artprice.com price index shows that 100 EUR invested in 1998 in a work of Sigmar POLKE would have an average value of 330 EUR in December 2008. The auction record for a work by Polke is (GBP2,708,000 / US$5,321,220) which was set in February 2007 for the work “Strand” against an estimate of GBP800,000 – 1,200,000. A major exhibition of Polke’s work that was held at the Tate Modern in London in 2004 may well have contributed to the increase in desirability of Polke’s work at a time when the art market boom was just beginning to really take hold. To own a work by Polke is a privilege that not many people have the opportunity of experiencing so the opportunity to be able to own a work by Polke for less than US$1000 would be too good to pass up. The prestigious Edition Schellman gallery has provided such an opportunity by offering one of Polke’s limited edition silkscreens for half price. “Oase” 1998 is an edition of 70 that measures 70x50cm and is signed and numbered by the artist. A mere 600 EUR (around US$770) plus shipping will secure this fantastic work by an extremely important and desirable artist. If you are interested in owning your very own work of art by Polke you can find the contact details for Edition Schellman here. There is only one work available at this special price so if you are interested you had better get in quick!!

**Nicholas Forrest is an art market analyst, art critic and journalist based in Sydney, Australia. He is the founder of http://www.artmarketblog.com, writes the art column for the magazine Antiques and Collectibles for Pleasure and Profit and contributes to many other publications.